Windows 10 – Microsoft changes the rules: Implications for pros users

2 years ago

Microsoft makes a change in its Windows Support policy that affect those seeking to market new PC without being ready for Windows 10.

Unlike consumers, more than some business users buying new PC (or whose employer makes the acquisition) could want or need an earlier version of Windows. Update schedule, legacy applications, device compatibility … multiple reasons may justify.

But the new deal, starting today, is that the Windows-based PC latest CPU architectures – starting with Skylake chips from Intel – require Windows 10. A number of PC will be compatible Skylake 8.1 and Windows 7, but Microsoft will not guarantee for these machines a medium of 18 months – or until July 17, 2017.

My colleague Ed Bott of ZDNet described these changes in the holder, released by Microsoft on January 15.

It is not clear to me and others to assess how these changes will affect the adoption of Windows 10 by companies. I guess some could thus postpone the transition to Windows 10 until they are ready to migrate their users to a new device running from the start Windows 10.

These new rules could they not also affect the sales of these new PCs Skylake? This at least for business users who had forecast the possibility to downgrade Windows 7 to their systems and keep the OS some time (beyond mid-2017) before moving to Windows 10. Perhaps we will see companies rush on the PC with Broadwell Haswell and architectures capable of running Windows 7 and Windows 10 (?).

Microsoft Why is doing this change?

Officially, Microsoft says will thus offer users a better computing experience. The argument is that Windows 7 was not designed to take advantage of the latest features recently introduced on PC. And the latest PC have been designed with Windows 7 in mind; they were designed for Windows 10.

As we commented on Twitter Directions of Microsoft analyst Wes Miller, the definition of a good PC before Windows 10 now diverges from that of a good PC today. “Welcome to the world of software and hardware intertwined. Sometimes getting a new software means saying goodbye to the old hardware,” he added.

Others believe that the true Because of this change is Microsoft’s desire to wean more users of Windows 7 and 8.1, more quickly, and to avoid repeating the scenario “Windows XP forever.”

What new PC users can purchase the business knowing that they will receive full support for Windows 7 / 8.1 to 2017?

This is still a preliminary list according to a spokesman for the publisher. A list “more robust” will be available this week and updated continuously day.

What effect if my PC has a previous processor Skylake as Broadwell, Haswell, etc.?

Users can continue to run Windows Vista, Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 on pre-Skylake machines and receive updates and security patches, as Microsoft had promised before. They can also run on supported Windows 10 pre-Skylake PC, Skylake (and post-Skylake) and access security patches until 2025.

The maturity of the extended support (only patches ) for the different versions of Windows is not in question:
Windows Vista: April 11, 2017
Windows 7: January 14, 2020
Windows 8: 10 January 2023
Windows 10: October 14 2025

What does this support policy for the rights of ‘downgrade’?

These rights allow users buying PCs with Windows 10 pre-installed Pro (OEM license) demote Windows 7 Pro or Windows 8.1 Pro. Last year, Microsoft said that the rights of ‘downgrade’ to Windows 7 would end in January 2020 for Windows 7 and for Windows 8.1 in 2023.

Now, this scenario seems to put some more conditional. The new rule is that the PC with a previous processor Skylake retain the rights mentioned above. However, computers listed on the Microsoft list may downgrade Windows 7 and 8.1 and will be borne only up to 17 July 2017.

After July 2017, I am not sure how to What look like the rights of downgrade for those who purchase new Windows PC

In summary:. Microsoft’s message is that if Windows 10 can run on older PCs, new and those to come, Windows 7 it is not guaranteed to be able to do it. Whether you take this message as a “buyer beware” or “Windows 10 or nothing,” this is Microsoft’s latest directive.